A wild "spec me" thread appears...£4k, 200bhp'ish hot hatch fun

SixTwoSix said:
True about the BHP requirement, was just keeping it simple. Currently drive a 172bhp clio and wanted something that would feel a decent bit faster "off the line".
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In that case, you'd want something turbo charged.

Maximum Triceratops said:
I would be looking for something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-SUBA...716570?hash=item1a104e4c9a:g:DYUAAOSwll1WyrCw

Its gone now though but they do pop up occasionally.

215bhp, nice and reliable and sound great when you get a decent pipe on it, also a good chance of it going up in price if you keep it in good nick.
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I was wondering why people generally overlooked the Impreza when looking for a fast, fun car with reasonable running costs.

Over 200bhp, 4WD, good (to me, but I'm sure they're fairly average) handling.

If you're handy with a spanner they're an absolute doddle to work on. Parts are cheap, reasonable on fuel given the weight/drivetrain... I could go on.

My girlfriend has an 04 Mini Cooper S and before I sold my Rover (~250bhp, lowered, polybushed etc) I took all 3 cars out back to back. The Mini sounds good, lots of popping from the exhaust and awesome super charger whine and has go kart handling. Being a short wheel base though it doesn't inspire much confidence and I found it a little nervous when being pushed. Not to mention design flaw after design flaw... I really don't rate hers.

The Rover, while not being as sharp on turn in, felt way more planted and was fast. Obviously that has an unfair advantage as I know the car inside out.

The Subaru, again not as sharp but way way more capable. It just grips and grips and grips, and then starts to understeer. Quick enough in the lower gears (mine's a bog standard WRX) and sounds great.
 
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agw_01 said:
In that case, you'd want something turbo charged.
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That's why i'd looked at the R26 Meganee Sport first, 230BHP vs 172 and has a turbo.

agw_01 said:
I was wondering why people generally overlooked the Impreza when looking for a fast, fun car with reasonable running costs.

Over 200bhp, 4WD, good (to me, but I'm sure they're fairly average) handling.

If you're handy with a spanner they're an absolute doddle to work on. Parts are cheap, reasonable on fuel given the weight/drivetrain... I could go on.
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I think it's the image that goes with it. Around where I live now and previously lived in Coventry, it's generally bald headed angry looking thuggish types ragging them around. [/massive generalisation]
 
That big wave of torque as the engine comes on boost definitely makes a car feel quick.

Haha, I used to see loads of classics being driven by a certain type of person but maybe I'm just lucky in that most of the Imprezas I see now are driven sensibly and by respectable looking people.

I put off buying one for years because of the horror stories of having my front door kicked in for the keys, but don't let an image stop you from experiencing a car.

Who gives a toss what other people think :)
 
Many of these cars mentioned ain't much if any faster than the 172... including the 215bhp scoob, hell it's probably slower :p

Type r, r26 would be a good choice for fun :)
 
Cryfreeman said:
Many of these cars mentioned ain't much if any faster than the 172... including the 215bhp scoob, hell it's probably slower :p

Type r, r26 would be a good choice for fun :)
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Type R might be good in the handling department but they aren't fast. I had legs on one when running about 10psi in my Rover.

Sounds like the R26 may be the one you want. They have a good engine note too, I do like them.
 
I'll vote for the Type R.
You can pick one up and have plenty left over to give it a full service, brand new brakes if necessary and have money left over for a £4.5k budget.
You'll be looking at 80-100k milers, but as long as they have FSH, valve clearances done and only genuine parts used then there will be no issues.

With an R26 you'll be starting at £4.5k for the car alone.
 
If you wanted turbo I'd personally be looking at the 3 MPS, Leon FR or a GTi.

Type R would probably win it for me.
 
C... Corolla T-Sport Compressor... :p

220HP, supercharger whine, very rare, looks the part, good on fuel, will lunch CTR's, and can be had for 3.5K. (People list them for more but they never sell that high...)

Better suggestion - Mazda 3 MPS. :)
 
agw_01 said:
Type R might be good in the handling department but they aren't fast. I had legs on one when running about 10psi in my Rover.

Sounds like the R26 may be the one you want. They have a good engine note too, I do like them.
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Coupe? They do go well, as do well driven type r's. Both seem to hit around 15 secs flat up Shakespeare, which is 172 area.(stock) guessing 10 psi is over stock boost? :)
 
iaind said:
FTFY
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I don't think so somehow... Perhaps you just haven't seen one :p

Looks a fair bit more menacing than mine does. Dual exhaust tips (left aide and right side), 20 spoke wheels, lower Eibach suspension, etc. :)

You really want one in red or black with the TTE bumper though. But they are beyond rare. :(
 
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Cryfreeman said:
Coupe? They do go well, as do well driven type r's. Both seem to hit around 15 secs flat up Shakespeare, which is 172 area.(stock) guessing 10 psi is over stock boost? :)
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420 GSi Turbo. I've had a couple and built them both up from standard examples, ending up with bigger turbos, turbo back exhaust, FMIC... making around 250bhp at stock boost once finished.

Stock boost is ~12psi so I was slightly under, give or take a mis-read on the boost gauge.

Fair enough on the Civic. Tbh, I've never been in one and was a little surprised when I pulled 2 car lengths on him fairly quickly. It was slightly uphill and I would have got a nice wave of torque around 2500rpm. The Rover was probably making 190bhp, it was a while ago now!
 
Acme said:
C... Corolla T-Sport Compressor... :p

220HP, supercharger whine, very rare, looks the part, good on fuel, will lunch CTR's, and can be had for 3.5K. (People list them for more but they never sell that high...)

Better suggestion - Mazda 3 MPS. :)
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I tried to find one of these about the same time I bought my 172, there was nothing within 100 miles back then. Only seem to be 2 available within that distance this time around.

If i can find a local one within the next week, i'll go and test drive.
 
Test drive to see what's what. If you like, expand the search and be willing to travel for the right one.

I still don't get why people insist on hardly searching for cars. Particularly relatively rare cars like that mentioned. If that is what I wanted, I'd travel the length of the country for the right one.
 
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